Laurie Ferneau is senior vice president of development at Crown Media Family Networks. Based in the company’s Studio office, she reports to Executive Vice President, Programming, Lisa Hamilton Daly.

Ferneau is responsible for the sourcing and development of original programming, specializing in series, limited series, and specials for the company’s portfolio of entertainment destinations including Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, Hallmark Movies Now, and more. In this capacity, her oversight includes hearing pitches, developing projects, and working closely with senior leadership to create conceptual strategies that drive viewership, ratings, and ad sales revenue. Additionally, she is accountable for cultivating and maintaining strong relationships with key members of the creative community.

Ferneau joined Crown Media in 2014 as director of original programing and steadily rose the ranks to vice president in 2016 and to her current role of senior vice president in 2019. Prior to joining the company, she served as director of development at entertainment production company Prospect Park Television where she oversaw the development process for USA Network’s Royal Pains and FX’s Wilfred. Prior to that she worked at management and production company The Firm, developing projects for ABC, NBC, FOX, FX, USA and TNT. She also held a development position at Logo Entertainment, and various production positions for Showtime, Nickelodeon, UPN, and more.

Ferneau holds a bachelor’s degree in broadcasting from The Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University.

Speaking on: Speed Meetings with Buyers; Spotlight on Hallmark Channel